As every hobbyist and proffessional jewellery designer knows there are stages and periods of creative inspirations when imagination often flies in directions wild. The results can be great collections or something completely out of wack. My latest flight of imagination is something that has been in my mind and in development in my studio for a while. It's something that is close to my heart as it incorporates my two passions - Art & Mineralogy.

First, is the mini-make-over of the focal semi-precious pendant stone design that I have been selling in my O V Gillies Designs on Etsy shop for a while now. I have updated this design with a long pullover, infinity, chain & a hand-stamped brass leaf with my maker's name & the name of the stone. The look & style is something of a bohemian city chic - the necklace sits just below your breast & will go well with a more relaxed look, while subtle natural colors & classic design make it perfect to add something unique to a work suit. I choose every stone for each design very carefully - the selection is often influenced by various inspirations, often I take a photograph of the inspiration & include it in the listing. Not surprisingly, living on an island the colours and nature around play a major role in my inspirations. I wire wrap each pendant individually, & hand-stamp each tag myself. This results in characteristic hand-made 'imperfections' & quirky little things the total of which is an absolutely unique piece of jewelry.

Second, is the coming together of my two passions: art and Mineralogy. The result, is the line of Art Canvas Necklaces that feature unusual, interesting semi-precious stones as mini works of art. I love finding stones that represent intricate, complex designs and creations of nature. In Art Canvas pieces I present them on a classic linen canvas. Each stone is natural, untreated & is absolutely unique & each mini canvas is hand-made by me with natural materials - pure linen, wood, raw brass. I metalsmith each bail & hand-stamp my maker's name & the name of the stone, or a combination of stones, featured in each necklace. There are characteristic handmade quirks in each necklace, & I have used a long oxidised black sterling silver chain to complement each handmade mini Mineralogy art pendant.